Abstract: A building monitoring system includes a plurality of image capture devices deployed to obtain images of target building systems, the target building systems being associated with optical landmarks visible by the image capture devices. A plurality of audio beacons are configured to output audio landmarks. A plurality of audio capture devices are deployed to obtain sound clips of the target building systems, each sound clip of the target building systems including at least one of the audio landmarks from the audio beacons. A data analysis system is configured to receive the images of the target building systems and identify each target building system from at least one of the optical landmarks and the audio landmarks.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure include simplified user interfaces configured to display one or more symbols for image capture by an image capture device. A computing device with image processing software may be used to process the image to detect the symbol and determine a control function associated with the symbol for controlling one or more building system components. Other aspects include software applications for allowing a user to customize a set of symbols and associated control functions.

Abstract: A system of networked local heating includes a plurality of networked local heating sources, each networked local heating source including a directional infrared (IR) radiation heat source configured to output directional IR radiation toward a remotely located target area, and a local heat source controller configured to activate the directional IP radiation heat source to output the directional IR radiation toward the remotely located target area during short duration radiative heat events. The system also includes a local heat source management system configured to log heat event requests from each of the local heat source controllers.

Abstract: A system for providing spatially and temporally smooth occupancy lighting includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor is configured to determine a precise location of the occupant. The controller determines a number of lighting fixtures that are relevant to the location of the occupant. The light output of the lighting fixtures is controlled by the controller using a function that varies the light output depending on the location of the occupant. The function can change the light output based upon a distance between the occupant and the one or more lighting fixtures. For example, the function can increase the light output as the occupant moves closer to a fixture, and likewise decrease the light output as the occupant moves away from a fixture. In another example, the function can maintain a target illuminance at a particular spot within the space or an overall illuminance for all lighting fixtures.

Abstract: A system for providing spatially and temporally smooth occupancy lighting includes a sensor and a controller. The sensor is configured to determine a precise location of the occupant. The controller determines a number of lighting fixtures that are relevant to the location of the occupant. The light output of the lighting fixtures is controlled by the controller using a function that varies the light output depending on the location of the occupant. The function can change the light output based upon a distance between the occupant and the one or more lighting fixtures. For example, the function can increase the light output as the occupant moves closer to a fixture, and likewise decrease the light output as the occupant moves away from a fixture. In another example, the function can maintain a target illuminance at a particular spot within the space or an overall illuminance for all lighting fixtures.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that allow a lighting system to self-determine the relative positions of its different light sources. Direct light source to light source distances are measured and trilateration is used to locate each light source in three dimensional space. The relative position of each light source is provided with regard to the lighting system itself and does not need to refer to a GPS system or to the position or orientation of the installation. The self-determining system allows lighting systems to be quickly installed and later commissioned using the positioning information provided by the lighting system itself.

Abstract: Systems and methods are disclosed that allow a lighting system to self-determine the relative positions of its different light sources. Direct light source to light source distances are measured and trilateration is used to locate each light source in three dimensional space. The relative position of each light source is provided with regard to the lighting system itself and does not need to refer to a GPS system or to the position or orientation of the installation. The self-determining system allows lighting systems to be quickly installed and later commissioned using the positioning information provided by the lighting system itself.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for controlling object appearance while maintaining a lighting function without noticeable changes in illumination. The techniques may be implemented to illuminate a given target with a first light source so as to cause the target to have a first appearance, and to illuminate the target with a second light source so as to cause the target to have a second appearance different from the first appearance. The first and second light sources have a chromaticity within a common MacAdam ellipse. The MacAdam ellipse size may range, for example, from a 7-step ellipse (for relaxed constancy in chromaticity) to a 1-step ellipse (for high constancy in chromaticity). In some cases, one of the first or second light sources includes a spectral feature not included in the other light source, and an optical response property of the target reacts to changes in the spectral feature thereby causing appearance changes.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for controlling object appearance while maintaining a lighting function without noticeable changes in illumination. The techniques may be implemented to illuminate a given target with a first light source so as to cause the target to have a first appearance, and to illuminate the target with a second light source so as to cause the target to have a second appearance different from the first appearance. The first and second light sources have a chromaticity within a common MacAdam ellipse. The MacAdam ellipse size may range, for example, from a 7-step ellipse (for relaxed constancy in chromaticity) to a 1-step ellipse (for high constancy in chromaticity). In some cases, one of the first or second light sources includes a spectral feature not included in the other light source, and an optical response property of the target reacts to changes in the spectral feature thereby causing appearance changes.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes metal halide lamps having a discharge vessel, a discharge space, and at least one electrode extending into the discharge vessel in a sealed fashion so as to be in contact with the discharge space. A fill gas, at least one fill material, and optionally at least one volatile material are present in the discharge space. In some cases, the lamps can exhibit at least one of reduced run-up time, increased initial light output, and long life, while remaining useful for general lighting applications. Also described are methods for operating such metal halide lamps.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for controlling the light output of a lamp, where lamp efficacy is estimated as a function of estimated lamp temperature and instantaneous input power, or as a function of estimated lamp temperature only. Whether efficacy is estimated as a function of temperature and power, or as a function of temperature only can depend on changes in the lamp operating scenario. The techniques estimate lamp temperature by tracking energy input to and losses from (losses such as radiation, conduction, emission) the lamp arc tube, and determine the corresponding instantaneous light producing ability. The techniques may further be implemented to deliver the appropriate power command to obtain a desired light output. The techniques can be applied towards a general control in which arbitrary or custom light output vs. time paths are produced, and may be implemented by a processor programmed or otherwise configured to execute the desired control scheme.

Abstract: The present disclosure describes metal halide lamps having a discharge vessel, a discharge space, and at least one electrode extending into the discharge vessel in a sealed fashion so as to be in contact with the discharge space. A fill gas, at least one fill material, and optionally at least one volatile material are present in the discharge space. In some cases, the lamps can exhibit at least one of reduced run-up time, increased initial light output, and long life, while remaining useful for general lighting applications. Also described are methods for operating such metal halide lamps.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that allow for the use of metal halide lamps in dimming applications, as well as other discharge lamps susceptible to dimming-induced chromaticity drift. Examination of such lamps reveals that some of the spectral changes that cause chromaticity drift during dimming are localized in narrow band regions of the spectrum, and lamp emission in these regions is enhanced (either increased or decreased) relative to the rest of the spectrum. Selective filtering of the enhanced emission caused by dimming can be used to reduce chromaticity shift. For instance, a filter deposited on and/or integrated into a lamp component (such as the arc tube, shroud, and/or outer jacket) operates to block transmission of those regions of the spectrum.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed for controlling the light output of a lamp, where lamp efficacy is estimated as a function of estimated lamp temperature and instantaneous input power, or as a function of estimated lamp temperature only. Whether efficacy is estimated as a function of temperature and power, or as a function of temperature only can depend on changes in the lamp operating scenario. The techniques estimate lamp temperature by tracking energy input to and losses from (losses such as radiation, conduction, emission) the lamp arc tube, and determine the corresponding instantaneous light producing ability. The techniques may further be implemented to deliver the appropriate power command to obtain a desired light output. The techniques can be applied towards a general control in which arbitrary or custom light output vs. time paths are produced, and may be implemented by a processor programmed or otherwise configured to execute the desired control scheme.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed that allow for the use of metal halide lamps in dimming applications, as well as other discharge lamps susceptible to dimming-induced chromaticity drift. Examination of such lamps reveals that some of the spectral changes that cause chromaticity drift during dimming are localized in narrow band regions of the spectrum, and lamp emission in these regions is enhanced (either increased or decreased) relative to the rest of the spectrum. Selective filtering of the enhanced emission caused by dimming can be used to reduce chromaticity shift. For instance, a filter deposited on and/or integrated into a lamp component (such as the arc tube, shroud, and/or outer jacket) operates to block transmission of those regions of the spectrum.

Abstract: A method of controlling run-up of a metal halide lamp that has a nominal (full) light output during steady state operation and that has a current limit Ilim, includes, during run-up of the metal halide lamp to steady state operation, evaluating requested power Preq and requested current Ireq to operate the lamp at the nominal light output Ln during the run-up, supplying Ilim to operate the lamp so long as Ireq?Ilim and supplying Preq to operate the lamp when Ireq<Ilim, and modulating power P supplied to the lamp. The power modulation is preferably at an acoustic resonance frequency of the lamp, such as the first azimuthal resonance mode of the lamp. Power modulation may include sweeping a sine wave ripple on top of an input voltage waveform, wherein a frequency range of the sine wave ripple includes an acoustic resonance frequency.

Abstract: A method of detecting a leak in an outer jacket of a metal halide lamp having an arc tube inside the outer jacket and operated by a ballast, where the ballast monitors an electrical characteristic of the lamp during start and detects a leak in the outer jacket when the electrical characteristic deviates from that of a corresponding metal halide lamp whose outer jacket does not have a leak. The electrical characteristic is one of six markers, namely (1) V?(E) at a predetermined E, where V?(E) is a derivative of lamp voltage V as a function of cumulative energy E delivered to the ballast since ignition, (2) a value of E at which V?(E) reaches a maximum, (3) V at a predetermined E, (4) a local maximum of V?(E) up to a predetermined E, (5) a global maximum of V?(E), and (6) E required to achieve a predetermined V.

Abstract: A method of controlling run-up of a metal halide lamp that has a nominal (full) light output during steady state operation and that has a current limit Ilim, includes a lamp ballast sensing lamp current and voltage and calculating power, and evaluating requested power Preq and requested current Ireq to operate the lamp at the nominal light output during run-up to steady state operation, supplying Ilim to operate the lamp when Ireq?Ilim, and supplying Preq to operate the lamp when Ireq<Ilim. The method may determine Preq in various ways, including determining a light output L of the lamp; comparing lamp voltage to a nominal voltage Vn for the lamp during steady state operation; determining energy E delivered to the lamp; and estimating lamp efficacy. The method may also be used to characterize an unknown lamp attached to the ballast.

Abstract: A method of controlling run-up of a metal halide lamp that has a nominal (full) light output during steady state operation and that has a current limit Ilim, includes, during run-up of the metal halide lamp to steady state operation, evaluating requested power Preq and requested current Ireq to operate the lamp at the nominal light output Ln during the run-up, supplying Ilim to operate the lamp so long as Ireq?Ilim and supplying Preq to operate the lamp when Ireq<Ilim, and modulating power P supplied to the lamp. The power modulation is preferably at an acoustic resonance frequency of the lamp, such as the first azimuthal resonance mode of the lamp. Power modulation may include sweeping a sine wave ripple on top of an input voltage waveform, wherein a frequency range of the sine wave ripple includes an acoustic resonance frequency.

Abstract: A method of controlling run-up of a metal halide lamp that has a nominal (full) light output during steady state operation and that has a current limit Ilim, includes a lamp ballast sensing lamp current and voltage and calculating power, and evaluating requested power Preq and requested current Ireq to operate the lamp at the nominal light output during run-up to steady state operation, supplying Ilim to operate the lamp when Ireq?Ilim, and supplying Preq to operate the lamp when Ireq<Ilim. The method may determine Preq in various ways, including determining a light output L of the lamp; comparing lamp voltage to a nominal voltage Vn for the lamp during steady state operation; determining energy E delivered to the lamp; and estimating lamp efficacy. The method may also be used to characterize an unknown lamp attached to the ballast.